Do we need to lose weight?

For some of us it is a need, for others it is a must.

Why do some of us need to lose weight? It could be for a variety of reasons. We need to lose weight because we see a round face and a figure that is bulging around the waistline and flabby arms and the important evening function is just a couple of weeks away. Or we need to lose weight because there is a fabulous dress in a boutique which we must have but cannot get into since we have ballooned out of shape.

Maybe the reason is the new neighbor across the street who is in great shape and we are worried that our spouse find us wanting by comparison and his eyes may stray. We may feel less desirable and worried about the competition.

For those who must lose weight, the reason may well be the risks posed to their health. Perhaps the doctor had warned them that they could be at risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, strokes, heart disease, even some forms of cancer. For this group of people weight loss is vital because their health is at stake.

Then depending on how out of shape we are, and how heavy and over-weight we are, it would seem to be an uphill battle to lose the weight that is dragging us down. Where do I begin? How can I get rid of all this fat? Can I lose weight fast? Will I have to starve? Can weight loss be safe? Is there healthy weight loss?

There are so many diets and weight loss programs out there. Which one is the best one for me?

Before you decide which weight loss supplements to take or which slimming program to embark upon, you successful your weight loss will be, depends on what you eat.

Here are some secret tips to effective weight loss.

You need to plan your diet. You should skip meals because it will not help you lose weight. In fact you will put on weight if you skip meals. This is because you will get so hungry that you will snack and the end result is more weight added on.

Breakfast is one meal you cannot afford to skip as it will jump start your metabolic rate and keep it burning throughout the day.

You need to adjust your mindset from three main meals to six small meals per day. This way your metabolism is fired up throughout the day and you will burn off the excess fat. You will not feel hungry either.

You also have to stay away from the calorie-laden but nutrient-empty food such as cream cakes, chips and sugary drinks. Avoid junk food.

Drink a lot of water because water helps you to lose weight.

Sometimes we begin a weight loss program but never complete it for various reasons. Perhaps the results are slow. We cannot see a slimmer image in the mirror but you must remember that the excess weight we piled on was acquired over the years and not overnight, so it would be unrealistic to expect to see a fat person shrink into half his size within a week. Weight loss takes time so you need to give yourself time for the weight loss program to work.

Sometimes it can get lonely, going it on your own so having a friend to lose weight along with you is a positive step. You can motivate each other when one of you is faltering.

You should also set reasonable goals, for example, lose 10 pounds in one month. Then when you achieve your target, give yourself a treat.Maybe a new dress or T-shirt.

Keep a before photograph on your dressing table where you can see your fat self and put a new photo of your slimmed-down self in that new T-shirt or dress next to it. This will encourage you as you can see how much you have achieved. You can put up a picture of the person you want to be, perhaps, a slim model. Visualise yourself as that model. This will turbocharge your desire to lose weight.